Lens barrel and camera having the same

ABSTRACT

A lens barrel comprises a first frame including an inward flange having an opening as a light path for a photographic optical system, a barrier-driving member disposed in the vicinity of the opening, a second frame disposed inside the first frame and movable along an optical axis relative to the first frame, a barrier blade movable along with the rotation of the barrier-driving member between a closed position in which the barrier blade blocks at least a part of the light path and an open position in which the barrier blade is retracted from the light path, an opening-urging member capable of urging the barrier blade towards the open position and urging the barrier-driving member towards a first direction, and a closing-urging member capable of urging the barrier blade toward the closed position. In the event that an external force, such as photographer&#39;s finger, urges the barrier blade toward an open position, the closing-urging member urges the barrier blade to the closed portion when the external force is removed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2003-412611filed in Japan on Dec. 10, 2003 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/005,809filed Dec. 7, 2004 the contents of which are incorporated by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens barrel and a camera, and, morespecifically, the invention relates to a lens barrel having a barriermechanism for moving to a closed position and an open position. In theclosed position, the front face of a photographic lens is covered with abarrier, and, in the open position, the front face of the photographiclens is exposed.

2. Description of the Related Art

A known pair of lens barrier blades for a camera is disposed inside aphotographic lens barrel (hereinafter referred to as a ‘lens barrel’) inthe front portion of the camera. When a photograph is not being taken,the barrier blades are in a closed position in which the barrier bladescover the front portion of the photographic lens. When a photograph isbeing taken, the barrier blades move to an open position in which thebarrier blades are moved away from the front of the photographic lens toallow a luminous flux to enter the photographic lens. Various knowndriving mechanisms for opening and closing the barrier blades areproposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-159855discloses a mechanism for opening and closing barrier blades in whichthe barrier blades are opened and closed by rotating a barrieropening/closing ring, disposed on the distal end portion of the lensbarrel, around an optical axis.

More specifically, a cam plate having a cam surface at its distal end isdisposed inside a camera body including the lens barrel, wherein the camplate extends into the lens barrel when the lens barrel is retracted tothe camera. Arms extending into the lens barrel are provided on thebarrier opening/closing ring. In this barrier opening and closingmechanism, the barrier blades move to the closed position when the lensbarrel is retracted to the camera body and the barrier opening/closingring rotates around the optical axis as the tip of the arms engage withthe cam plate.

Another mechanism for opening and closing barrier blades is disclosed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-20369. In this mechanism foropening and closing the barrier blades, a barrier driving ring rotatablearound an optical axis is disposed at the front portion of a lensbarrel. This barrier driving ring is, for example, rotated around theoptical axis by, for example, a motor driving mechanism.

More specifically, at the distal end of the lens barrel, the barrierdriving ring and a barrier driving gear with one end extending into thelens barrel are disposed. Inside the lens barrel, the motor drivingmechanism is disposed. In such a mechanism for opening and closing abarrier, the barrier blades are opened and closed by rotating thebarrier driving ring. To rotate the barrier driving ring, the barrierdriving ring is connected to the barrier driving gear and then thebarrier driving gear is connected to the motor driving mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lens barrel according to the present invention comprises: a firstframe including an inward flange having a central opening as a lightpath for a photographic optical system; a barrier-driving memberdisposed in the vicinity of the opening of the inward flange, thebarrier-driving member being rotatable around an axis parallel with anoptical axis of the photographic optical system; a second frame disposedinside the first frame and movable along the optical axis of thephotographic optical system relative to the first frame, the secondframe having a pressing part capable of pressing the barrier-drivingmember when the second frame moves relative to the first frame; abarrier blade movable along with the rotation of the barrier-drivingmember to a closed position in which the barrier blade blocks at least apart of the light path of the photographic optical system and an openposition in which the barrier blade is retracted from the light path ofthe photographic optical system; an opening-urging member disposed onthe barrier-driving member, the opening-urging member being capable ofurging the barrier blade towards the open position and urging thebarrier-driving member towards a first direction; a closing-urgingmember disposed in the vicinity of the opening of the inward flange, theclosing-urging member urging the barrier blade toward the closedposition; wherein the barrier-driving member rotates in a seconddirection opposite to the first direction against the urging force ofthe opening-urging member as the pressing part presses thebarrier-driving member, the barrier blade moves from the open positionto the closed position by the urging force of the closing-urging memberas the pressing part presses the barrier-driving member, and, as thepressing part separates from the barrier-driving member, thebarrier-driving member rotates in the first direction by the urgingforce of the opening-urging member and the barrier blade moves from theclosed position to the open position against the urging force of theclosing-urging member. In the event that an external force, such asphotographer's finger, urges the barrier blade toward an open position,the closing-urging member urges the barrier blade to the closed portionwhen the external force is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lens barrel in a retracted positionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a float key and a linearguiding frame of the lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the lens barrel viewed from direction III inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1 in aphotographing position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the lens barrel viewed from direction V inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is sectional view of the lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1indicating a position in which second barrier blades begins to close;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the lens barrel viewed from direction VII inFIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a camera including the lens barrelillustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings. In the event that an external force, such asphotographer's finger, urges the barrier blade toward an open position,the closing-urging member urges the barrier blade to the closed portionwhen the external force is removed.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lens barrel in a retracted positionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view of a float key and a linear guiding frame ofthe lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a lens barrel 1 comprises a fixed frame 10having a proximal end portion attached to a camera body 200 describedbelow (refer to FIG. 8); a rotating frame 20; which is a third frame,rotatably disposed inside the fixed frame 10; a linearly movable frame30, which is a first frame, disposed inside the rotating frame 20 andwhich is movable backward and forward along an optical axis O from aretracted position (first position) to a second position (photographingposition); a float key 40, which is a second frame, disposed inside thelinearly movable frame 30 and which guides the linearly movable frame 30so as to move linearly along the optical axis direction; a first lensgroup frame 60 supporting a first lens group 61, which is included in aphotographic optical system, disposed inside the linearly movable frame30 at a forward side in the optical axis direction of the linearlymovable frame 30. To simplify the drawings, the second lens group, thethird lens group included in the photographic optical system, the focusadjustment mechanism and the shutter mechanism are omitted.

On the inner surface of the fixed frame 10, three linear grooves 10 a,for example, formed along the direction of the optical axis O, andfemale helical threads 10 b, disposed spirally on the surface of theinner circumference of the fixed frame 10 at equal intervals, areprovided. A light-blocking member 11 is attached at the distal end ofthe inner surface of the fixed frame 10. The light-blocking member 11 isinterposed between the fixed frame 10 and the rotating frame 20 disposedinside the fixed frame 10 so that one of the edges of the light-blockingmember 11 makes contact with the outer surface of the rotating frame 20and the other edge contacts the inner surface of the fixed frame 10.

A motor driving source (not depicted in the drawings) for rotating therotating frame 20 is disposed on the outer surface of the fixed frame10.

At the rear end portion of the outer surface of the rotating frame 20,male helical threads 20 a that are engaged with the female helicalthreads 10 b of the fixed frame 10 are provided. Overlapping spur gearsare provided on a part of the male helical threads 20 a. These spurgears are engaged with the gears of the motor driving source (notdepicted in the drawings) disposed on the fixed frame 10.

The rotating frame 20 is rotatably disposed inside the fixed frame 10 bythe female helical threads 10 b engaged to the male helical threads 20a. The male helical threads 20 a are rotated by the motor driving sourceso that the rotating frame 20 moves forward and backward along theoptical axis O as it rotates relative to the fixed frame 10.

The female helical threads 20 b are formed on the inner surface of therotating frame 20. Circumferential grooves 20 c are formed around thecircumference of the inner surface of the rotating frame 20 near therear end portion.

At the distal end of the inner surface of the rotating frame 20, alight-blocking member 21 is disposed. The light-blocking member 21 isinterposed between the rotating frame 20 and the linearly movable frame30, disposed inside the rotating frame 20, so that one of the edges ofthe light-blocking member 21 makes contact with the outer surface of thelinearly movable frame 30 and the other edge makes contact with theinner surface of the rotating frame 20. On the inner surface of therotating frame 20, a cam groove (not depicted in the drawing) isdisposed for driving a frame for supporting the second lens group andthe third lens group (not depicted in the drawings), which are part ofthe photographic optical system of a zoom lens, forward and backwardalong the optical axis O.

At the rear end portion of the outer surface of the linearly movableframe 30, male helical threads 30 a that are engaged with the femalehelical threads 20 b on the rotating frame 20 are provided. The linearlymovable frame 30 is rotatably disposed inside the rotating frame 20 bythe female helical threads 20 b engaged to the male helical threads 30a.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an inward flange 31 having a central opening30B for allowing light to pass through the first lens group 61, thesecond lens group, and the third lens group is provided at the distalend side of the inner surface of the linearly movable frame 30.

The inward flange 31 has a pair of barrier shaft holes 37 located on theperiphery of the central opening 30B. The barrier shaft holes 37 arearranged symmetrically around the optical axis O. On a surface 31A inthe forward direction of the optical axis (referred to as ‘forwardsurface’ thereafter) of the inward flange 31, columnar opening springhooks 34 protruding in the forward direction along the optical axis Oare disposed in the vicinity of the barrier shaft holes 37. The pair ofopening spring hooks 34 is arranged symmetrically around the opticalaxis O.

A pair of screw holes 33 is formed on the forward surface 31A of theinward flange 31 and at the same time in the direction of going awayfrom the optical axis O. The pair of screw holes 33 is arrangedsymmetrically around the optical axis O and is in contact with the innercircumference of the linearly movable frame 30.

A pair of engagement protrusions 32 is formed on the forward surface 31Aof the inward flange 31 in the vicinity of the screw holes 33. Theengagement protrusions 32 protrude in the forward direction along theoptical axis O and are arranged symmetrically around the optical axis O.The proximal end portions of the engagement protrusions 32 are incontact with the inner surface of the linearly movable frame 30. Theforward surfaces of the engagement protrusions 32 are flush with thecircumferential surface 30A of the linearly movable frame 30.

The periphery of the opening 30B of the inward flange 31 has acircumferential rim 31 s protruding in the forward direction from theforward surface 31A of the inward flange 31. On the forward surface 31Aof the inward flange 31 and at the same time between the rim 31 s andthe inner circumferential surface of the linearly movable frame 30, fourrails 31 b radiate from the circumferential rim 31 s and connect thecircumferential rim 31 s and the inner circumference of the linearlymovable frame 30.

The four rails 31 b are arc-shaped and protrude in the forward directionfrom the forward surface 31A of the inward flange 31. The four rails 31b are grouped into two pairs that are each arranged symmetrically aroundthe optical axis O. The four rails 31 b and the circumferential rim 31 sare formed as an integral unit. Furthermore, the forward surfaces of thefour rails 31 b and the circumferential rim 31 s are flush with eachother in the optical axis direction on the forward side.

A pair of arc-shaped inserting grooves 31 c is formed on the forwardsurface 31A of the inward flange 31. The pair of arc-shaped insertinggrooves 31 c is arranged symmetrically around the optical axis O. Eachof the insertion grooves 31 c is disposed in an area surrounded by oneof the barrier shaft holes 37, one of the rails 31 b, thecircumferential rim 31 s, and the inner circumference of the linearlymovable frame 30.

A pair of areas A is arranged symmetrically around the optical axis O.The barrier shaft hole 37, opening spring hook 34, screw hole 33,engagement protrusion 32, and inserting groove 31 c are provided in eacharea A surrounded by two of the rails 31 b that are disposedasymmetrically relative to each other with respect to the optical axis Oas a center, the circumferential rim 31 s, and the inner surface of thelinearly movable frame 30.

Each rail 31 b surrounding the area A has a symmetrical rail 31 b whichis one of the rails 31 b surrounding the other area A. In addition, eachrail 31 b has a shape different from that of its adjacent rails 31 b.Each pair of rails 31 b which are symmetrical to each other is arrangedsymmetrically with respect to the optical axis O as a center. A pair ofareas B is arranged symmetrically around the optical axis O and isprovided on the forward surface 31A of the inward flange 31. Each area Bis surrounded by two of rails 31 b, one of which surrounding the one ofthe areas A, the other of which surrounding the other area A. Therefore,each rail 31 b divides the area B from the area A. A closing spring hook36 which is a protrusion having an oval cross-section and protruding inthe forward direction along the optical axis O and a closing springshaft 35 which is located in the vicinity of the closing spring hooks 36and which is shaped substantially like a column protruding in theforward direction along the optical axis O are provided in each area B.

Five linear movement keys 30 b, which are protrusions functioning asrotation stoppers, extend along the optical axis O on the inner surfaceof the linearly movable frame 30 behind the inward flange 31. Two of thefive linear movement keys 30 b are provided in the vicinity of thebarrier shaft holes 37.

The five linear movement keys 30 b on the inner surface of the linearlymovable frame 30 are slidably engaged with linear grooves 40 c and 40 e(described below). In this way, the float key 40 can slide forward andbackward along the optical axis O. Instead of the above-described linearmovement keys 30 b and linear grooves 40 c and 40 e, protruding linearmovement keys may be provided on the float key 40 so as to be engagedwith linear grooves provided on the linearly movable frame 30.

Three linear movement keys 40 a are provided on the rear end portion ofthe outer surface of the float key 40 at equal intervals around thecircumference of the float key 40. The linear movement keys 40 aprotrude radially away from the optical axis O. As illustrated in FIG.1, the three linear movement keys 40 a are engaged with the three lineargrooves 10 a formed on the inner surface of the fixed frame 10. Thefloat key 40 moves only along the optical axis O relative to the fixedframe 10 because of the linear movement keys 40 a.

Three bayonets 40 b, functioning as engaging parts, are provided on theouter surface of the float key 40, in near front of the linear movementkeys 40 a in the optical axis direction. The bayonets 40 b are arrangedat equal intervals around the circumference of the float key 40 andprotrude radially away from the optical axis O.

Two bayonets 40 f as engaging portions are provided in the vicinity oftwo of the three bayonets 40 b and are arranged symmetrically around theoptical axis O. The bayonets 40 f protrude radially away from theoptical axis O.

The protruding height of the bayonets 40 b and the bayonets 40 f islower than the protruding height of the linear movement keys 40 a. Thebayonets 40 f receive the force generated along the optical axis O whenthe linearly movable frame 30 is retracted to the float key 40.

The bayonets 40 b and 40 f are engaged with the circumferential grooves20 c provided on the inner surface of the rotating frame 20, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the circumferential grooves 20 crestrict the movement in the optical axis direction of the float key 40relative to the rotating frame 20. In other words, the float key 40 andthe rotating frame 20 are guided by the circumferential grooves 20 c soas to move forwards and backwards as a unit along the optical axis O.

Consequently, the circumferential grooves 20 c of the rotating frame 20function as a thrust position-restricting portion according to theembodiment of the present invention. The rotating frame 20 is rotatablearound the optical axis O relative to the float key 40.

A pair of notches 40 g is formed on the forward circumferential end ofthe float key 40. The notches 40 g are arranged symmetrically around theoptical axis O and extend towards the rear of the float key 40. A pairof triangular pole pressing parts 40 d, protruding forwards and arrangedsymmetrically around the optical axis O, is provided. Each of thepressing parts 40 d has a pressing surface 40 d 1, which is a surfaceinclined relative to the optical axis O.

Three linear grooves 40 c, which function as guides, are formed on theouter surface of the float key 40 in parallel with the optical axis Oand extend from the distal end of the float key 40 to the vicinity ofthe bayonets 40 b on the front side in the optical axis direction. Threeof the five linear movement keys 30 b, provided on the inner surface ofthe linearly movable frame 30, are engaged with these linear grooves 40c.

Two linear grooves 40 e, which function as guides, are formed on theouter surface of the float key 40 in the vicinity of the proximal endportion of the pair of pressing parts 40 d in parallel with the opticalaxis O and extend from the distal end of the notches 40 g to thevicinity of the bayonets 40 f on the front side in the optical axisdirection.

In other words, the respective two of the bayonets 40 f and the lineargrooves 40 e among respective five are provided in the vicinity of thepressing parts 40 d with respect to the circumference of the float key40.

Two of the five linear movement keys 30 b provided on the inner surfaceof the linearly movable frame 30 are slidably engaged with the twolinear grooves 40 e. The linear grooves 40 e are supplemental groovesfor receiving the force generated around the optical axis O when thelinearly movable frame 30 is retracted to the float key 40.

Accordingly, by slidably engaging the five linear movement keys 30 b tothe three linear grooves 40 c and two linear grooves 40 e, the float key40 is slidably engaged with the linearly movable frame 30 so that thefloat key 40 is slidable forwards and backwards along the optical axisO.

Consequently, even when the male helical threads 30 a of the linearlymovable frame 30 and the female helical threads 20 b of the rotatingframe 20 are engaged and the linearly movable frame 30 receives arotational force from the rotating frame 20, the linearly movable frame30 is guided by the linear grooves 40 c and 40 e to only move forwardsand backwards along the optical axis O relative to the float key 40.

As described above, in the lens barrel 1, the rotating frame 20 and thefloat key 40 move backwards along the optical axis O relative to thefixed frame 10 when the rotating frame 20 is rotated by the motordriving source. The linearly movable frame 30 also receives rotationalforce from the rotating frame 20 and is guided by the float key 40 tomove forwards and backwards along the optical axis O.

A pair of barrier-driving members 50 is partially engaged with the pairof barrier shaft holes 37 formed on the inward flange 31 of the linearlymovable frame 30 such that the barrier-driving members 50 are rotatablearound axes parallel to the optical axis O. Each of the barrier-drivingmembers 50 mainly comprises a shaft 50 b and a spring receiver 51 formedin the shaft 50 b in the optical axis forward direction.

The shaft 50 b is a hollow cylinder. A cam surface 50 c, which isinclined with respect to the optical axis O, is formed on the end partin the optical axis rearward direction of the sidewall of the shaft 50b.

The cam surface 50 c comes into contact with the pressing surface 40 d 1on pressing parts 40 d of the float key 40 when the linearly movableframe 30 is retracted to the float key 40. As a result, thebarrier-driving members 50 rotate in a second direction. Here, thesecond direction is the direction opposite from a first direction, whichis the direction corresponding to the closing movement of first andsecond barrier blades 70 and 80, as described below.

The outer diameter of the shaft 50 b is substantially the same as theinner diameter of the barrier shaft hole 37. Furthermore, an O-ringgroove 50 d for setting a waterproof O-ring 55 is formed around theouter circumference of the shaft 50 b at the side close to the springreceiver 51.

On the forward surface of the shaft 50 b, the spring receiver 51 havinga W-shaped cross-section and a circular bottom surface with a diameterlarger than the diameter of the shaft 50 b is provided. The bottomsurface of the spring receiver 51 (i.e., the rear surface of the springreceiver 51 on which the shaft 50 b is not formed) is in contact withthe forward surface 31A of the inward flange 31.

Accordingly, only the shaft 50 b is rotatably engaged with the barriershaft hole 37. When the shaft 50 b is engaged with the barrier shafthole 37, the outer circumference of the O-ring 55 comes into contactwith the barrier shaft hole 37 and causes the O-ring 55 to undergoelastic deformation. As a result, the inner surface of the barrier shafthole 37 and the outer surface of the shaft 50 b are engaged in awater-tight manner with the O-ring 55 so that dust and water do notenter the inside of the linearly movable frame 30.

The spring receiver 51 comprises a barrier shaft 50 a, which protrudesforward along the optical axis O from the center of the bottom surfaceof the spring receiver 51, and a spring guide 50 g, which is anarc-shaped sidewall protruding forward along the optical axis O from theperiphery of the bottom surface of the spring receiver 51 at a heightlower than the barrier shaft 50 a. The pair of barrier shafts 50 afunction as rotary shafts for the first and second barrier blades 70 and80, as described below.

The spring guide 50 g includes a movable arm insertion part 50 e, in theform of a notch, and a fixed arm insertion part 50 h, which is also inthe form of a notch but larger than the movable arm insertion part 50 e.These notches are formed in a direction parallel to the optical axis O.One of the end surfaces of the movable arm insertion part 50 e parallelwith the optical axis O functions as a spring pressing part 50 f.

The inner circumferential surface of the spring guide 50 g and thebottom surface of the spring receiver 51 define a spring storage space50 i for storing a barrier opening spring 110 (described below). Morespecifically, a part of the barrier opening spring 110, which applies anurging force to move the barrier blade to an open position, is stored inthe spring storage space 50 i.

The barrier opening spring 110 comprises a support 110 a (which is atorsion coil spring according to this embodiment), a fixed arm 110 b,and a movable arm 110 c. The barrier shaft 50 a of the barrier-drivingmember 50 is inserted into the support 110 a and the support 110 a isstored in the spring storage space 50 i.

The fixed arm 110 b of the barrier opening spring 110 is passed throughthe fixed arm insertion part 50 h of the barrier-driving member 50, andthe movable arm 110 c is passed through the movable arm insertion part50 e of the barrier-driving member 50.

The tip of the fixed arm 110 b is attached between one of the openingspring hooks 34, which is provided on the forward surface of the inwardflange 31 of the linearly movable frame 30, and one of the bosses havingthe screw hole 33. The center of the movable arm 110 c is attached tothe spring pressing part 50 f of the spring guide 50 g provided on thebarrier-driving member 50.

Accordingly, the movable arm 110 c of the barrier opening spring 110constantly urges the spring pressing part 50 f of the barrier-drivingmember 50 towards the above-mentioned first direction around thecircumference of the shaft 50 b. Here, the first direction is thedirection corresponding to the opening movement of the first and secondbarrier blades 70 and 80. Moreover, the tip of the movable arm 110 c isattached to an opening spring hook 70 c of the first barrier blade 70,described below.

A pair of barrier closing springs 120, which urge the barrier bladestowards a closed position, is inserted into the pair of closing springshafts 35 provided on the forward surface 31A of the inward flange 31 ofthe linearly movable frame 30. The barrier closing springs 120 in thisembodiment are torsion springs.

Each of the barrier closing springs 120 comprises a support 120 a, whichis a coil portion, a fixed arm 120 b, and a movable arm 120 c. Theclosing spring shaft 35 of the inward flange 31 is inserted into thesupport 120 a.

The fixed arm 120 b of the barrier closing spring 120 is attached to oneof the closing spring hooks 36 provided on the forward surface 31A ofthe inward flange 31 of the linearly movable frame 30. The movable arm120 c of the barrier closing spring 120 is attached to a closing springhook 70 f of the first barrier blade 70, described below.

A pair of first barrier blades 70 is disposed on the forward surface 31Aof the inward flange 31 of the linearly movable frame 30. The firstbarrier blades 70 move to open and close the opening 30B. Morespecifically, the first barrier blades 70 move between a closed positionin which at least a part of the light path of the first, second, andthird lens groups, comprising a photographic optical system, is blockedand an open position in which the first barrier blades 70 move away fromthe light path. In this embodiment, the pair of first barrier blades 70blocks a part of the light path in the vicinity of the optical axis O ofthe photographic optical system.

The first barrier blades 70 are partially arc-shaped plates. When thefirst barrier blades 70 move to the closed position, the circumferentialsurfaces of the first barrier blades 70 parallel to the optical axis O(hereinafter referred to as inner circumferential surfaces 70 g) areengaged with each other so as to seal the first barrier blades 70together.

On one of the ends of each of the first barrier blades 70, a shaft hole70 a is formed. The shaft hole 70 a is engaged with the tip of thebarrier shaft 50 a of the barrier-driving member 50, which is engagedwith the support 110 a of the barrier opening spring 110. The firstbarrier blades 70 are disposed such that they are in contact with theend part in the optical axis forward direction of the spring guide 50 gof the barrier-driving members 50.

In the open position, the first barrier blades 70 are disposed insidethe linearly movable frame 30 at positions that do not block the opening30B. In other words, the first barrier blades 70 cover the forward sidesof the spring storage spaces 50 i and the spring guides 50 g, the pairof barrier opening springs 110, the four rails 31 b, the pair ofinserting grooves 31 c, the pair of closing spring shafts 35, the pairof closing spring hooks 36, and the pair of barrier closing springs 120.In this way, the first barrier blades 70 prevent dust from entering thesupports 110 a and 112 a of the barrier opening springs 110 and barrierclosing springs 120, respectively.

In the open position, the surfaces of the first barrier blades 70parallel to the optical axis O (hereinafter referred to as ‘outersurfaces 70 h’) come into contact with open position stoppers 31 d,which are provided on the linearly movable frame 30 to restrict theopening movement.

A blade driving pin 70 d is provided in the vicinity of the shaft hole70 a on the front surface in the optical axis direction of each of thefirst barrier blades 70.

Further on the surfaces of the first barrier blades 70 at the side wherethe below-mentioned second barrier blades 80 are arranged are providedthrust receivers 70 e to prevent tilting of the second barrier blades 80relative to the optical axis O by contacting forward surfaces of thesecond barrier blades 80 in the optical axis direction near outerperipheral surfaces 70 h at the edges of the first barrier blades 70.

The peripheral surfaces of each of the shaft holes 70 a protrudesforward along the optical axis O and is the same height as the tip ofthe thrust receiver 70 e. The peripheral surfaces of the pair of shaftholes 70 a prevent the second barrier blades 80 from tilting. In otherwords, the positions of the second barrier blades 80 relative to theoptical axis O are determined by the peripheral surfaces of the shaftholes 70 a of the first barrier blades 70 and the thrust receivers 70 eprovided at the distal ends of the first barrier blades 70.

In addition, at a position near the outer peripheral surface 70 h ofeach of the first barrier blades 70 substantially opposite to the bladedriving pin 70 d at the side where the barrier-driving member 50 isarranged is provided an opening spring hook 70 c shaped like a column towhich the tip of the movable arm 110 c of the barrier opening spring 110is attached such as to protrude toward the barrier-driving member 50from the rear surface of the first barrier blade 70. The tip of theopening spring hook 70 c is inserted into one of the insertion grooves31 c of the inward flange 31 of the linearly movable frame 30 so thatthe opening spring hook 70 c is slidable along the insertion groove 31c. Thus, the first barrier blades 70 are urged towards the open positionby the barrier opening springs 110.

Further, thrust receivers 70 b are provided on the surface facing theinward flange 31 of each of the first barrier blades 70, protrudingtoward the inward flange 31 side. The thrust receivers 70 b are providedat a position in the vicinity of the opening spring hook 70 c and nearerto the distal end side of the first barrier blades 70 than the openingspring hook 70 c, and at the position in the vicinity of the distal endof the first barrier blades 70. The thrust receiver 70 b is provided inarc shape connecting the edge of the first barrier blades 70 on theinner circumferential surface 70 g side and the edge of the outercircumferential side 70 h. The thrust receiver 70 b thus providedprevents the first barrier blades 70 from tilting to the direction ofthe optical axis O by contacting and sliding along rails 31 b formed onthe forward surface 31A of the inward flange 31 of the linearly movableframe 30.

A columnar closing spring hook 70 f is provided on the surface facingthe barrier closing spring 120 of the first barrier blades 70,protruding toward the barrier closing spring 120. The arm part of themovable arm 120 c of the barrier closing spring 120 is engaged with theclosing spring hook 70 f. By being engaged in this way, the firstbarrier blades 70 are constantly urged toward the closed position by thepair of barrier closing springs 120.

The pair of second barrier blades 80 is disposed in the pair of firstbarrier blades 70 in the optical axis forward direction. The pair ofsecond barrier blades 80 is partially arc-shaped plates.

A shaft hole 80 a is provided on one of the ends of each of the secondbarrier blades 80. The tip of the barrier shaft 50 a of thebarrier-driving member 50 is inserted into the shaft hole 80 a, whereinthe support 110 a of the barrier opening spring 110 and the support 70 aof the first barrier blade 70 are inserted into the barrier shaft 50 a.

The second barrier blade 80 has an inner circumferential surface 80 gwhich is parallel to the optical axis and is on the same side of theoptical axis O, and an outer circumferential surface 80 h which isparallel to the optical axis O and is on the opposite side of theoptical axis O. Further, a long hole 80 d is provided in the vicinity ofthe shaft hole 80 a. The longitudinal direction of the long hole 80 druns along the direction connecting the inner circumferential surface 80g and the outer circumferential surface 80 h.

The blade driving pin 70 d of each of the first barrier blades 70 isinserted into the long hole 80 d. When each of the second barrier blades80 is at the open position, the blade driving pin 70 d is in contactwith the first contacting area 80 d 1 of the long hole 80 d.

The second barrier blade 80 is opened and closed by the blade drivingpin 70 d, as described below. In other words, the pair of second barrierblades 80 opens and closes in conjunction with the pair of first barrierblades 70.

A barrier cover 90 is disposed in front of the pair of second barrierblades 80 in the optical axis forward direction. The barrier cover 90 isdisposed at the distal end of the linearly movable frame 30.

The barrier cover 90 is a disk having an opening 90B shaped as arectangle with round corners so as to cover the outer circumference ofthe opening 30B of the inward flange 31 when the barrier cover 90 isdisposed in the linearly movable frame 30.

A pair of boss holes 90 b arranged symmetrically around the optical axisO is formed in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the opening90B of the barrier cover 90. The engagement protrusions 32 of the inwardflange 31 are inserted into these boss holes 90 b. A pair of insertionholes 90 a arranged symmetrically around the optical axis O is formed inthe vicinity of the boss holes 90 b. The insertion holes 90 a oppose thescrew holes 33 on the inward flange 31.

Screws 95 are inserted into the insertion holes 90 a and screwed intothe screw holes 33 on the inward flange 31. In this way, the barriercover 90 is fixed to the inner distal end of the linearly movable frame30.

An outer circumferential surface 90 h of the barrier cover 90 is inclose contact with the inner surface of the linearly movable frame 30.The front surface in the optical axis direction of the barrier cover 90is flush with the forward surface 30A of the linearly movable frame 30.

Next, the movement of the above-described lens barrel 1 from a retractedposition to a photographing position and from the photographing positionto the retracted position will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to7.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the lens barrel 1 viewed from direction III inFIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lens barrel 1 illustrated inFIG. 1 in a photographing position. FIG. 5 is a front view of the lensbarrel 1 viewed from direction V in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is sectional view ofthe lens barrel 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 indicating a position in whichsecond barrier blades begin to close. FIG. 7 is a front view of the lensbarrel 1 viewed from direction VII in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the lens barrel 1 is in the retractedposition, the rotating frame 20, the linearly movable frame 30, and thefloat key 40 are retracted inside the fixed frame 10. Here, the linearlymovable frame 30 is at a first position, i.e., the retracted position.

At this time, the pressing surface 40 d 1 of the pressing parts 40 dprovided on the float key 40 is in contact with the cam surface 50 c ofthe shaft 50 b provided on the barrier-driving member 50, which isinserted into the barrier shaft hole 37 of the inward flange 31 of thelinearly movable frame 30.

In this state, the barrier-driving member 50 is rotated in a seconddirection to close the first barrier blades 70 and the second barrierblades 80.

The closing spring shafts 35 of the inward flange 31 are inserted intothe supports 120 a of the barrier closing springs 120. The movable arms120 c of the barrier closing springs 120 urge the closing spring hooks70 f of the first barrier blades 70 to keep the first barrier blades 70in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In this way, the first barrier blades 70 are rotated toward the closedposition. In other words, the inner circumferential surfaces 70 g of thefirst barrier blades 70 are closely engaged with each other, asillustrated in FIG. 3, to block the light path of the first, second, andthird lens groups.

The blade driving pins 70 d of the first barrier blades 70 urge secondcontact areas 80 d 2 of the second barrier blades 80 toward the closedposition. The second barrier blades 80 that have moved to the closedposition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, block the light path of the first,second, and third lens groups.

In this state, the edges of the second barrier blades 80 are in contactwith the opening spring hooks 34. In other words, the opening springhooks 34 restrict the position of the second barrier blades 80 at theclosed position.

At this time, the movable arms 110 c of the opening springs 110 are incontact with the spring pressing parts 50 f of the barrier-drivingmembers 50. In this way, the force urging the first barrier blades 70towards the open position is reserved.

When the lens barrel 1 is retracted, the pressing surfaces 40 d 1 of thepressing parts 40 d provided on the float key 40 are in contact of thecam surfaces 50 c of the barrier-driving members 50. Thus, the rotationof the barrier-driving members 50 is restricted. Consequently, theurging force of the opening spring 110 is not fully transmitted to thefirst barrier blades 70. As a result, the first barrier blades 70 areurged toward the closed position by the barrier closing springs 120.

Accordingly, even if the first barrier blades 70 are forcefully moved tothe open position from the closed position by, for example, a userfinger operating the first barrier blades 70, the first barrier blades70 immediately return to the closed position when the finger isreleased. The second barrier blades 80 also return to the closedposition in conjunction with the first barrier blades 70.

By rotating the motor driving source disposed on the outer periphery ofthe fixed frame 10, the male helical threads 20 a of the rotating frame20 rotate. As a result, as described above, the rotating frame 20 andthe float key 40 move forward (protrude) along the optical axis O.

The linearly movable frame 30 receives rotational force from therotating frame 20. Accordingly, the five linear movement keys 30 bformed on the inner surface of the linearly movable frame 30 becomeengaged with the three linear grooves 40 c and two linear grooves 40 eof the float key 40. As a result, the linearly movable frame 30 slides(or protrudes) forward along the optical axis O.

In this way, the lens barrel 1 moves from the retracted position,illustrated in FIG. 1, to the photographing position, illustrated inFIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates the lens barrel 1 in tele mode in thephotographing position. The first barrier blades 70 and the secondbarrier blades 80 are in the open position when the lens barrel 1 is ina wide mode at the photographing position. The lens barrel 1 stays inthe open position when it is in tele mode.

When the lens barrel 1 is moved from the retracted position to thephotographing position, the pressing surfaces 40 d 1 of the pressingparts 40 d on the float key 40, which are urged forward along theoptical axis O, move apart from the cam surfaces 50 c of the shafts 50 bon the barrier-driving members 50.

Accordingly, the centers of the movable arms 110 c attached to thespring pressing parts 50 f of the spring guides 50 g on thebarrier-driving members 50 urge the spring pressing parts 50 f towardthe first direction, which is the circumferential directioncorresponding to the opening movement of the first barrier blades 70 andthe second barrier blades 80. As a result, the barrier-driving members50 are turned in the first direction.

At this time, the distal end of the movable arms 110 c of the barrieropening springs 110 generate an urging force by being attached to theopening spring hooks 70 c of the first barrier blades 70. These movablearms 110 c urge the opening spring hooks 70 c so that the first barrierblades 70 move to the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Accordingly, the first barrier blades 70 move to the open position. Morespecifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the outer circumferentialsurfaces 70 h of the first barrier blades 70 come into contact with theopen position stoppers 31 d provided on the inner surface of thelinearly movable frame 30. The inner circumferential surfaces 70 g ofthe first barrier blades 70 move away from the light path of the first,second, and third lens groups. In other words, the first barrier blades70 move away from the light path of the first, second, and third lensgroups.

While the first barrier blades 70 move from the closed position to theopen position, the thrust receivers 70 b of the first barrier blades 70slide along the rails 31 b of the inward flange 31.

The blade driving pins 70 d of the first barrier blades 70 contact andurge the first contacting areas 80 d 1 of the second barrier blades 80to move the second barrier blades 80 to the open position, asillustrated in FIG. 5. In this way, the second barrier blades 80 moveaway from the light path of the first, second, and third lens groups.

When the second barrier blades 80 are in the open position, the outercircumferential surfaces 80 h of the second barrier blades 80 are incontact with the open position stoppers 31 d provided on the innersurface of the linearly movable frame 30.

In the open condition, a force urging the first barrier blades 70 to theclosed position is generated in the movable arms 120 c of the barrierclosing springs 120 engaged with the closing spring hooks 70 f of thefirst barrier blades 70.

However, when the first barrier blades 70 are at the open position, theurging force of the movable arms 110 c of the barrier opening spring 110in the direction to the open position is larger than the urging force ofthe movable arm 120 c of the barrier closing spring 120 in the directionto the closed position.

Accordingly, even if the first barrier blades 70 are forcefully moved tothe closed position from the open position by, for example, a userfinger operating the first barrier blades 70, the first barrier blades70 immediately return to the open position when the finger is released.The second barrier blades 80 also return to the open position inconjunction with the first barrier blades 70.

When the lens barrel 1 is moved from the photographing position to theretracted position again, the above-mentioned motor driving sourcedisposed on the outer surface of the fixed frame 10 rotates the linearlymovable frame 30 in the direction opposite to when the lens barrel 1 ismoved from the retracted position to the photographing position. At thesame time, the male helical threads 20 a of the rotating frame 20 alsoturn to cause the rotating frame 20 and the float key 40 to retreat inthe optical axis direction to the retracted position.

At this time, the linearly movable frame 30 receives the rotationalforce of the rotating frame 20. As a result, the five linear movementkeys 30 b on the inner surface of the linearly movable frame 30 slidealong the three linear grooves three 40 c and two linear grooves 40 e ofthe float key 40 in the rear direction in the optical axis direction.Accordingly, the linearly movable frame 30 retracts to the float key 40.

In this way, the lens barrel 1 moves from the photographing position,illustrated in FIG. 4, to the retracted position, illustrated in FIG. 1,via the transitional position, illustrated in FIG. 6.

When the lens barrel 1 is moved from the photographing position to theretracted position, the linearly movable frame 30, protruding forward inthe optical axis direction in the photographing position, retracts tothe fixed frame 10 together with the rotating frame 20. At this time,the pressing surfaces 40 d 1 of the pressing parts 40 d on the float key40 come into contact with the cam surfaces 50 c of the shafts 50 b ofthe barrier-driving members 50 and start pressing the cam surfaces 50 cforward in the optical axis direction, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As thecam surfaces 50 c are pressed toward the pressing surfaces 40 d 1 of thepressing parts 40 d, the barrier-driving members 50 rotate in adirection against the urging force of the barrier opening springs 110.

At this time, the movable arms 120 c of these barrier closing springs120 start to urge the closing spring hooks 70 f of the first barrierblades 70 toward the closed position.

As a result, the first barrier blades 70 start to move toward the closedposition. In other words, the inner circumference surfaces 70 g of thefirst barrier blades 70 start moving to the closed position in which theinner circumference surfaces 70 g are engaged with each other, asillustrated in FIG. 3. In this way, the first barrier blades 70 becomesealed together to block the light path of the first, second, and thirdlens groups.

When the pair of first barrier blades 70 moves to the position shown inFIG. 7, the blade driving pins 70 d of the pair of the first barrierblades 70 who have become in contact with the first contacting areas 80d 1 of the pair of second barrier blades 80 to urge them in the openposition become in contact with the second contacting areas 80 d 2 ofthe pair of the second barrier blades 80 and start urging them.

As a result, the second barrier blades 80 start to rotate toward theclosed position. Then, the lens barrel 1 moves from the transitionalposition, illustrated in FIG. 6, to the retracted position, asillustrated in FIG. 1. The linearly movable frame 30 protruding forwardalong the optical axis direction retracts to the fixed frame 10 togetherwith the rotating frame 20.

As the first barrier blades 70 move from the open position to the closedposition, the thrust receivers 70 b of the first barrier blades 70 slidealong the rails 31 b of the inward flange 31.

When the linearly movable frame 30 receives the rotational force of therotating frame 20 and is retracted relative to the float key 40, thelinearly movable frame 30 retracts in the backward direction along theoptical axis because the five linear movement keys 30 b on the innersurface of the linearly movable frame 30 slide backwards along theoptical axis O on the linear grooves three 40 c and two 40 e, of thefloat key 40.

At this time, the load for driving the barrier-driving members 50 istransmitted to the float key 40 via the pressing surface 40 d 1 of thepressing parts 40 d as a force to rotate the float key 40 around theoptical axis O and a force for moving the float key 40 along the opticalaxis O.

However, the bayonets 40 f, formed on the float key 40 at a positionalong substantially the same axis as the pressing parts 40 d parallel tothe optical axis O, receive the applied force. Moreover, the pair oflinear grooves 40 e, formed on the float key 40 at a position alongsubstantially the same axis as the pressing parts 40 d parallel to theoptical axis O, supplement the pressing parts 40 d in receiving theapplied force. Therefore, the float key 40 is not deformed.

In other words, deformation of the float key 40 can be prevented byreceiving the load for rotating the barrier-driving members 50 with thebayonets 40 f and the linear grooves 40 e provided in the vicinity ofthe pressing parts 40 d, which receive the load.

The structure of a camera body 200 including the above-described lensbarrel 1 will now be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cameraincluding the lens barrel 1, illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lens barrel 1 is disposed at the center ofthe front of the camera body 200. A viewing window 240 for opticallyviewing an object is disposed above the lens barrel 1. A strobe window230 for irradiating the object with strobe light is disposed diagonallyupward to the right of the lens barrel 1.

A release button 250 for starting photographing is disposed to the lefton the upper surface of the camera body 200. A zoom button 260 forzooming the lens barrel 1 to photograph the object at a predeterminedmagnification is disposed to the upper left on the back side of thecamera body 200.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention,the first barrier blades 70 are moved to the opened and closed positionsby moving the cam surfaces 50 c of the shafts 50 b of thebarrier-driving members 50 rotatably engaged with barrier shaft holes 37of the linearly movable frame 30 and the pressing surfaces 40 d 1 of thepressing parts 40 d provided in the optical axis forward direction ofthe float key 40 so that they come into contact with each other or moveapart from each other.

The second barrier blades 80 are moved to the opened and closedpositions in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of thefirst barrier blades 70 by engaging the blade driving pins 70 d of thefirst barrier blades 70 with the long holes 80 d of the second barrierblades 80.

In this way, the first and second barrier blades 70 and 80 can be openedand closed by employing a simple structure. Accordingly, since variousdriving mechanisms for opening and closing the barrier blades are notrequired, the size of the lens barrel 1 can be reduced.

The shaft holes 70 a of the first barrier blades 70 and the shaft holes80 a of the second barrier blades 80 are inserted into the barriershafts 50 a of the barrier-driving members 50.

As a result, the shaft holes 70 a of the first barrier blades 70 and theshaft holes 80 a of the second barrier blades 80 are formed along thesame axis. Accordingly, since the first barrier blades 70 and the secondbarrier blades 80 do not require separate rotational shafts, the size ofthe lens barrel 1 can be reduced.

The spring storage spaces 50 i for storing the barrier opening springs110 are provided on the barrier-driving members 50. Since the barrieropening springs 110 are disposed on the rotational shafts of the firstand second barrier blades 70 and 80, additional spaces for storing thebarrier opening springs 110 are not required. Therefore, the size of thelens barrel 1 can be reduced.

The vicinity of each of the barrier opening springs 110 is substantiallycovered with the spring guide 50 g. The spring guide 50 g is disposed sothat its end surface is in contact with the vicinity of the shaft hole70 a of each of the first barrier blades 70. Therefore, supports 110 a(which are coils) of the barrier opening springs 110 are covered by thespring guides 50 g and the first barrier blades 70. As a result, dustdoes not enter the supports 110 a (which are coils) of the barrieropening springs 110 and opening and closing movements are carried outreliably.

The shaft 50 b of each the barrier-driving members 50 is passed throughthe O-ring 55 and then rotatably inserted into the inner circumferentialsurface of the barrier shaft hole 37. Since the O-ring 55 keeps theinner circumferential surface of the barrier shaft hole 37 and the outercircumferential surface of the shaft 50 b closely together in awater-tight manner, water and dust can be prevented from entering thelinearly movable frame 30 by employing a simple structure.

To drive the lens barriers, the barrier-driving members 50 having arotational axis parallel to the optical axis O are disposed wherein theshafts 50 b of the barrier-driving members 50 are arranged inside thelens barrel attached to the inward flange 31. In other words, bydisposing the mechanism for transmitting a driving force from inside thelens barrel 1 to the lens barriers along a rotational axis parallel tothe optical axis O, a water-proof and dust-proof lens barrel 1 having asimple structure can be provided.

Since large driving units rotatable around the optical axis O do nothave to be disposed on the barrier-driving members 50, the structure ofthe lens barrel 1 can be simplified and the size of the lens barrel 1can be reduced. According to this embodiment, the light path of thephotographic optical system is blocked by the pair of first barrierblades 70 opened and closed by the barrier-driving members 50 and thepair of second barrier blades 80 opened and closed in conjunction withthe first barrier blades 70. The barrier blades according to the presentinvention are not limited to this, and the number of barrier blades maybe increased or reduced.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention referring tothe accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to those precise embodiments and variouschanges and modifications thereof could be made by one skilled in theart without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A lens barrel comprising: a first frame; a barrier-driving memberdisposed in the first frame, the barrier-driving member being rotatablearound an axis parallel with an optical axis of the lens barrel; asecond frame movable relative to the first frame, the second framehaving a pressing part configured to engage the barrier-driving memberas the first and second frames move relative to each other; a barrierblade movable in cooperation with rotation of the barrier-driving memberbetween a closed position to block at least a part of a light paththrough the first frame and an open position retracted from the lightpath, the barrier blade having a shaft hole portion; a barrier shaftprovided on the barrier-driving member, the barrier shaft engaging theshaft hole portion and functioning as a rotational shaft for the barrierblade; an opening-urging spring which urges the barrier-driving memberin a direction to move the barrier blade toward the open position; and aclosing-urging spring for providing the barrier blade with an urgingforce towards the closed position in a case where the barrier blade isdisplaced from a state in which the barrier blade is at the closedposition towards the open position by an external force; wherein thepressing part engages the barrier-driving member so that thebarrier-driving member rotates, and the barrier blade rotates from theopen position to the closed position, and the pressing part disengagesthe barrier-driving member whereby the barrier-driving member rotates bythe urging force of the opening-urging spring, and the barrier bladerotates from the closed position to the open position.
 2. The lensbarrel according to claim 1, wherein the second frame is movablerelative to the first frame along the optical axis.
 3. The lens barrelaccording to claim 1, further, comprising an O-ring disposed between thebarrier-driving member and the first frame.
 4. The barrel according toclaim 1, wherein the opening-urging spring is disposed on the barriershaft of the barrier-driving member.
 5. The lens barrel according toclaim 1, wherein the closing-urging spring is disposed on the firstframe.
 6. A lens barrel comprising: a first frame; a barrier-drivingmember disposed in the first frame, the barrier-driving member beingrotatable around an axis parallel with an optical axis of the lensbarrel; a second frame movable relative to the first frame, the secondframe having a pressing part configured to engage the barrier-drivingmember as the first and second frames move relative to each other; ablade movable in cooperation with the rotation of the barrier-drivingmember between a closed position to block at least a part of a lightpath through the first frame and an open position retracted from thelight path, the barrier blade having a shaft hole portion; a barriershaft provided on the barrier-driving member, the barrier shaft engagingthe shaft hole portion and functioning as a rotational shaft for thebarrier blade; an opening-urging spring which stores an urging forcecapable of moving the barrier blade to the open position when thebarrier blade is at the closed position; and a closing-urging capable ofproviding the barrier blade with an urging force towards the closedposition in a case where the barrier blade is displaced from the statein which the barrier blade is at the closed position towards the openingposition by an external force, wherein the pressing part engages thebarrier-driving member so that the barrier-driving member rotates, andthe barrier blade rotates from the open position to the closed position,and the pressing part disengages the barrier-driving member whereby thebarrier-driving member rotates by the urging force of the opening-urgingspring, and the barrier blade rotates from the closed position to theopen position.
 7. The lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein theopening-urging spring is disposed on the barrier shaft of thebarrier-driving member.
 8. The lens barrel according to claim 6, whereinthe closing-urging spring is disposed on the first frame.
 9. A camerahaving a lens barrel comprising: a first frame; a barrier-driving memberdisposed in the first frame, the barrier-driving member being rotatablearound an axis parallel with an optical axis of the camera; a secondframe configured to move relative to the first frame, the second framehaving a pressing part for engaging the barrier-driving member as thefirst and second frames moves relative to each other; a barrier blademovable in cooperation with the rotation of the barrier-driving memberbetween a closed position to block at least a part of a light paththrough the first frame and an open position to retract from the lightpath, the barrier blade having a shaft hole portion; a barrier shaftprovided on the barrier-driving member, the barrier shaft engaging theshaft hole portion and functioning as a rotational shaft for the barrierblade; an opening-urging spring which urges the barrier-driving memberin a direction to move the barrier blade toward the open position; and aclosing-urging spring capable of providing the barrier blade with anurging force to move the barrier blade towards the closed position in acase where the barrier blade is displaced from the state in which thebarrier blade is at the closed position towards the open position by anexternal force, wherein the pressing part engages the barrier-drivingmember so that the barrier-driving member rotates, and the barrier bladerotates from the open position to the closed position, and the pressingpart disengages the barrier-driving member whereby the barrier drivingmember rotates by the urging force of the opening-urging spring, and thebarrier blade rotates from the closed position to the open position. 10.The camera according to claim 9, herein the opening-urging spring isdisposed on the barrier shaft of the barrier-driving member.
 11. Thecamera according to claim 9, wherein the closing-urging spring isdisposed on the first frame.